Method of treating acne

#This invention relates to a method for the treatment of acne utilizing a particular film forming material that will adhere to human skin.

#The ailment manifesting itself in eruptions of the skin, pimples, blackheads, whiteheads, lesions, cysts and nodules, and generally termed acne, has plagued people for generations. Acne typically develops in patients in their teen years, at the onset of puberty. While acne, per se, is not fatal, it results in disfigurement—mild or severe and temporary or permanent. At the very least, even the mild and temporary disfigurement of blackheads, whiteheads, papules and pustules is embarrassing and can result in social rejection by peers. Typically, acne affects most teenagers to some extent, but adults in their twenties through their forties can get acne. Although some type of mild acne is quite common among teenagers and most teenagers will “out grow” their acne by the time they are in their early twenties, acne is undesirable while it exists and can develop into more severe stages which can be permanently disfiguring because of the development of scars. There is also the possibility of the acne, particularly untreated acne, developing into more serious ailments because of infection.

#In some instances mild cases of acne can be addressed by personal regimens as simple as twice daily washing with soap and warm water or the application of over-the-counter topical medications. In many cases, however, these simple, “home remedies” are inadequate. Part of the problem is that there can be different causes for the acne and many cases require the professional services of a dermatologist and the use of prescription medications.

#The method of our invention for the treatment of acne comprises applying a polyalkylene carbonate in a fluid form over the area affected by acne or the area to be treated. The fluid polyalkylene carbonate applied to the area can be in the form of an emulsion, a suspension and a solution of the PAC in a biocompatible medium. The PAC can also be applied as a film which is raised to a temperature at least as high as the glass transition temperature of the PAC thereby causing the PAC to flow across the area and penetrate the pores in the area. In all instances the PAC forms a film covering the area to be treated. As the PAC, either with or without biocompatible suspension media, emulsion media or solvent, flows across the area to be treated and penetrates the pores in such area, any dirt, dead skin cells and bacteria are incorporated into the PAC film. Not only does the film form a barrier to external dirt, bacteria and skin cells, but any dirt, dead skin cells and bacteria (such as p. acnes) found already existing within pores in the area are incorporated into the PAC film. When the PAC film is thereafter removed from the area to be treated, it carries with it the dirt, oil, dead skin cells and bacteria incorporated into the film.

#These effects are further enhanced when using emulsions, suspensions and solutions of PAC due to the fact that many of the biocompatible materials used have beneficial properties in themselves, such as, for example, the ability to dissolve oil, suspend dirt, and being mild bactericides.

#Polycarbonates have been suggested as one of many polymers to be used as a film. They do not work as is taught in this application. Polycarbonates are different polymers than polyalkylene carbonates.